Tennessee Wrongful Death Attorney

When one person’s actions – intentional or unintentional – cause another person’s death, the decedent’s survivors may be entitled to compensation.

Tennessee law permits families to seek compensation for funeral expenses and associated expenses, lost wages that the decedent would have earned in his or her lifetime, mental anguish and loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases where the behavior that caused someone’s death was egregious, malicious, or criminal, the court may also allow families to pursue punitive damages against the defendant.

When a loved one dies, families need time to recover. They may feel they’re emotionally unprepared to pursue legal action against another party or to appear in court. But an experienced Tennessee wrongful death attorney knows how to effectively pursue wrongful death cases – both outside and inside the courtroom, in order to alleviate a family’s stress and worry.

If your loved one died because of another party’s actions, we may be able to help you. We’ve pursued justice for many Tennessee Valley families, working tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome for their case. To schedule a no-obligation consultation, call us today at (931) 962-1044.

Tennessee Wrongful Death Attorney

People who work in construction and manufacturing occupations have a high risk of injury on the job. Employers are legally required to provide protective equipment for workers and to ensure machines, premises, and processes are as safe as they can be. But when they’re not serious about safety, tragedy can occur.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigates fatal workplace accidents, and, often, OSHA cites safety law violations as a factor in someone’s death. It’s not uncommon to find a company has been fined on multiple occasions for safety violations in the months or years before a worker’s death.

Corporate defense lawyers may try to make a settlement offer to a deceased worker’s family in order to avoid litigation, but those offers may be inadequate. Families may accept such an offer, not knowing they could potentially receive better compensation with the help of an attorney.

If your loved one was killed in a workplace accident, don’t agree to any offers from the employer or the insurance company’s lawyers.

Call us, so we can ensure any settlement received is appropriate and fair: 1-844-684-5313.

Recreational Accidents

In 2005, a jury found a Tennessee amusement park manager guilty of reckless homicide in the death of a woman who fell from a ride because her safety harness wasn’t engaged. Prosecutors had alleged the park manager had tampered with the ride’s safety system, which, if functioning normally, would allow the ride to launch only if all safety harnesses were engaged.

While amusement park deaths are statistically rare, deaths that occur during other recreational activities are not. In Tennessee, statistics show:

104 people died in all-terrain vehicle accidents between 2010 and 2013.

96 people died in recreational boating accidents between 2010 and 2014.

17 bicyclists died in collisions with motor vehicles between 2010 and 2012.

There could be a number of reasons behind fatal recreational vehicle accidents – improper use, excessive speed, excessive load, or mechanical failure. However, in many fatal accidents involving any type of vehicle, alcohol consumption is a contributing factor.

Intoxication and Deadly Accidents

Consumption of alcohol can reduce reaction time and impair judgment, motor skills, balance, and coordination. Someone who is legally intoxicated is, therefore, ill-equipped to operate heavy machinery or motorized vehicles.

In Tennessee, a driver who has a blood alcohol content greater than .08 percent who causes a fatal crash can be charged with vehicular homicide, a Class B felony. The family of a person killed in such a crash may bring a wrongful death claim against the other driver and may have the option of pursuing punitive damages.

Laws regarding the operation of other types of vehicles while under the influence of alcohol may not be as strict as those that apply to roadway motorists. For example, in Tennessee, boating under the influence of alcohol can result in a jail sentence of 11 months and 29 days, a fine of $2,500 for the first two offenses, and a fine of $5,000 for a third offense. Regardless of the lesser criminal penalties, families can still pursue wrongful death claims against an intoxicated boater who caused their loved one’s death.

Providing Relief

A monetary settlement can’t erase the pain of losing a family member. But it can help families take care of expenses and move on with their lives.

If someone is at fault for the death of your loved one, don’t wait to get help. Call a Tennessee Wrongful Death Attorney today at (931) 962-1044, or fill out our online contact form.